Sunday, July 20, 2008

When I'm a little white-haired old lady, who will no longer be able to hoist large boards onto my table saw or band saw, nor have the energy to handsaw them, I will carve, make decorative boxes, and whittle.

Recently, I bought a book entitled The Little Book of Whittling, by Chris Lubkemann, that clearly explains how to make simple letter openers, spoons, birds, forks, chickens, and tiny canoes, among other things useful or amusing.Whittling is something that intrigued me as a kid. I remember using one of my dad's pocket knives to sharpen sticks, carve designs in them, and make sling shots. I never progressed beyond that, but I do remember having a great time. And feeling cool. Like Opie Taylor.

So, until I can get back to working with bigger tools (in exactly 23 days), I'm going to fiddle around with whittling. Today, I'm making a spoon or a whistle and then I'll show the neighbor kids how I made it, which will no doubt amaze them.

And they'll think I'm cool. The coolest brown-haired, middle-aged lady on the block.